Forces and Potential Energy - Middle School Physical Science
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What is the definition of elastic potential energy?
What is the definition of elastic potential energy?
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Stored energy in stretched or compressed materials. Springs and rubber bands store energy when deformed.
Stored energy in stretched or compressed materials. Springs and rubber bands store energy when deformed.
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What is the definition of gravitational potential energy near Earth?
What is the definition of gravitational potential energy near Earth?
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Stored energy due to height in a gravitational field. Objects higher up can fall and release energy.
Stored energy due to height in a gravitational field. Objects higher up can fall and release energy.
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What is the definition of electric potential energy between charged objects?
What is the definition of electric potential energy between charged objects?
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Stored energy due to positions of electric charges. Like charges repel; work stores energy when pushed together.
Stored energy due to positions of electric charges. Like charges repel; work stores energy when pushed together.
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What is the definition of magnetic potential energy between magnets?
What is the definition of magnetic potential energy between magnets?
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Stored energy due to positions of magnetic poles. Like poles repel; work stores energy when forced together.
Stored energy due to positions of magnetic poles. Like poles repel; work stores energy when forced together.
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Which statement best links force and potential energy in a model of interacting objects?
Which statement best links force and potential energy in a model of interacting objects?
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Potential energy changes when a force acts through a distance. Work done by forces converts to stored potential energy.
Potential energy changes when a force acts through a distance. Work done by forces converts to stored potential energy.
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What is the formula for gravitational potential energy near Earth?
What is the formula for gravitational potential energy near Earth?
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$U_g = mgh$. Mass times gravity times height gives gravitational PE.
$U_g = mgh$. Mass times gravity times height gives gravitational PE.
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What is the work formula for a constant force parallel to the displacement?
What is the work formula for a constant force parallel to the displacement?
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$W = Fd$. Force times distance when both point the same way.
$W = Fd$. Force times distance when both point the same way.
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Identify the energy change when an external force stretches a spring and stores energy in it.
Identify the energy change when an external force stretches a spring and stores energy in it.
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Elastic potential energy increases. Stretching stores energy in the spring's deformation.
Elastic potential energy increases. Stretching stores energy in the spring's deformation.
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Identify the energy change when an object is lifted upward at constant speed to a higher height.
Identify the energy change when an object is lifted upward at constant speed to a higher height.
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Gravitational potential energy increases. Lifting against gravity stores gravitational energy.
Gravitational potential energy increases. Lifting against gravity stores gravitational energy.
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Which option describes the force direction for an object moving downhill as $U_g$ decreases?
Which option describes the force direction for an object moving downhill as $U_g$ decreases?
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Gravity acts in the direction of motion. Gravity pulls down the slope, same direction as motion.
Gravity acts in the direction of motion. Gravity pulls down the slope, same direction as motion.
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What happens to $U_s$ when spring compression changes from $x$ to $2x$?
What happens to $U_s$ when spring compression changes from $x$ to $2x$?
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$U_s$ becomes $4$ times larger. Doubling $x$ quadruples energy since $U_s \propto x^2$.
$U_s$ becomes $4$ times larger. Doubling $x$ quadruples energy since $U_s \propto x^2$.
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What is the definition of potential energy in terms of an object's position or arrangement?
What is the definition of potential energy in terms of an object's position or arrangement?
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Stored energy due to position or arrangement. Objects gain potential energy when moved against a force.
Stored energy due to position or arrangement. Objects gain potential energy when moved against a force.
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What happens to $U_g$ when height changes from $h$ to $2h$ (same $m$ and $g$)?
What happens to $U_g$ when height changes from $h$ to $2h$ (same $m$ and $g$)?
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$U_g$ doubles. Direct proportionality: double height = double energy.
$U_g$ doubles. Direct proportionality: double height = double energy.
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Calculate $U_g$ for $m = 2,\text{kg}$, $g = 10,\text{N/kg}$, $h = 3,\text{m}$.
Calculate $U_g$ for $m = 2,\text{kg}$, $g = 10,\text{N/kg}$, $h = 3,\text{m}$.
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$60,\text{J}$. $U_g = mgh = 2 \times 10 \times 3 = 60,\text{J}$.
$60,\text{J}$. $U_g = mgh = 2 \times 10 \times 3 = 60,\text{J}$.
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Calculate $U_s$ for $k = 100,\text{N/m}$ and $x = 0.20,\text{m}$.
Calculate $U_s$ for $k = 100,\text{N/m}$ and $x = 0.20,\text{m}$.
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$2,\text{J}$. $U_s = \frac{1}{2}kx^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 100 \times 0.04 = 2,\text{J}$.
$2,\text{J}$. $U_s = \frac{1}{2}kx^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 100 \times 0.04 = 2,\text{J}$.
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Which interaction stores more electric potential energy: pushing like charges closer or farther apart?
Which interaction stores more electric potential energy: pushing like charges closer or farther apart?
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Pushing like charges closer together. Work against repulsion stores more energy.
Pushing like charges closer together. Work against repulsion stores more energy.
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Which interaction stores more magnetic potential energy: forcing two north poles closer or farther apart?
Which interaction stores more magnetic potential energy: forcing two north poles closer or farther apart?
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Forcing two north poles closer together. Work against magnetic repulsion stores more energy.
Forcing two north poles closer together. Work against magnetic repulsion stores more energy.
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Which statement matches a model of attractive force between objects and potential energy?
Which statement matches a model of attractive force between objects and potential energy?
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As objects separate, stored potential energy increases. Pulling magnets apart against attraction stores energy.
As objects separate, stored potential energy increases. Pulling magnets apart against attraction stores energy.
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What is the definition of potential energy in terms of energy storage?
What is the definition of potential energy in terms of energy storage?
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Stored energy due to an object’s position or arrangement. Energy is stored when forces act to change position or configuration.
Stored energy due to an object’s position or arrangement. Energy is stored when forces act to change position or configuration.
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What is the definition of gravitational potential energy near Earth’s surface?
What is the definition of gravitational potential energy near Earth’s surface?
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Energy stored due to height in a gravitational field. Gravity pulls objects down, storing energy when lifted up.
Energy stored due to height in a gravitational field. Gravity pulls objects down, storing energy when lifted up.
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State the formula for gravitational potential energy near Earth’s surface.
State the formula for gravitational potential energy near Earth’s surface.
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$U_g = mgh$. Mass times gravity times height gives gravitational PE.
$U_g = mgh$. Mass times gravity times height gives gravitational PE.
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Which change increases $U_g$ the most: doubling $m$, doubling $h$, or doubling $g$?
Which change increases $U_g$ the most: doubling $m$, doubling $h$, or doubling $g$?
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All increase $U_g$ by a factor of $2$. Each variable appears once in $U_g = mgh$, so doubling any doubles $U_g$.
All increase $U_g$ by a factor of $2$. Each variable appears once in $U_g = mgh$, so doubling any doubles $U_g$.
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What is elastic potential energy in a stretched or compressed object?
What is elastic potential energy in a stretched or compressed object?
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Stored energy due to deformation of an elastic material. Springs and rubber bands store energy when stretched or compressed.
Stored energy due to deformation of an elastic material. Springs and rubber bands store energy when stretched or compressed.
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State the formula for elastic potential energy of a spring.
State the formula for elastic potential energy of a spring.
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$U_s = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$. Half the spring constant times displacement squared.
$U_s = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$. Half the spring constant times displacement squared.
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If spring stretch changes from $x$ to $2x$, by what factor does $U_s$ change?
If spring stretch changes from $x$ to $2x$, by what factor does $U_s$ change?
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It increases by a factor of $4$. Displacement is squared in the formula, so doubling $x$ quadruples $U_s$.
It increases by a factor of $4$. Displacement is squared in the formula, so doubling $x$ quadruples $U_s$.
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